Like many high school graduates, Arcadia University junior and Parkland High School graduate Jake Varrato had to adjust to college. But he had some unforeseen circumstances come into the fray.

Arcadia’s head soccer coach who Varatto committed to play for left before the former Trojan arrived on campus. He had to adapt to a new scheme and a new way of playing the game he loves.

“Freshman year, I had a first-year coach, Joe Clementi, coming into the program that did not recruit me or anyone else in my class,” said Varrato. “So, I had to start fresh with a new team and a new coach, who had a new system for the whole entire team to learn.”

When it came down to deciding what school to attend, Arcadia joined the party late, but was able to land Varrato’s signature.

“When it came time to look for colleges, I had all intentions of picking the best soccer school for me,” Varrato said. “The academic aspect of the school I was choosing was second to soccer, which I really do not recommend at all to any high school athletes looking for the best fit.

“After being at Arcadia for two years now, I have humbly realized that there is so much more the school offers. I have been able to study biomedical sciences, travel to Florence, Italy, with Arcadia’s travel abroad program, be involved in many clubs and activities on campus all the while being an athlete for the school.”

Part of his transition included adjusting to a small college setting after attending a large high school.

“Coming from a big high school like Parkland, I did not think I would like the small school scene in college,” he said. “ However, it has definitely grown on me and I am very thankful that I was blessed to be guided to Arcadia. I am very happy with the friends I have made and the person I am becoming.”

Last year the Knights doubled their win total from the year prior, finishing with 10 wins. Now, even with a season moved to the spring, the goals for Varrato and his team remain the same.

Through his first two seasons, Varrato has 127 saves and 14 wins in net. He started all 22 game in 2019 and was named to the All-MAC First Team after posting a save percentage of .790 (fifth in the conference) and a 1.17 goals against average.

After starting 11 games as a freshman, Varatto’s sophomore year saw him named the All-MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Week four times.

“My goals for the season do not change much from season to season,” said Varrato. “I tend to focus on keeping it simple and not overdoing it. As a player, I want to keep growing stronger just doing the basics well. Clean distribution with my feet and hands, clean rebound control, and good technique with fielding crosses into the box.

“The fancy, highlight reel saves you see goalkeepers make fall into place naturally after you create a foundation of confidence through training hard and really focusing on doing the basics well. The job of a goalkeeper is to be a vocal leader on the field. I don’t want that leadership to stop as soon as we leave the field. I want to continue to help push the younger guys on our team to reach their full potential as student-athletes and be a leader who leads by example for others to look up to.”

Varrato also has earned recognition in the classroom as well as on the field. Last year he received the Arcadia Athletics Award of Merit.

“I was very honored to be awarded this achievement,” said Varrato. “I would always prefer to have a team championship or award over an individual award, but again, I am very thankful for the recognition. Individual recognition in a team sport is only possible through the sacrifices of the whole team, not just one player.

“I am not the smartest student by far, but I have learned that I can still have academic achievement through utilizing the resources my school has to offer and working harder than I have ever before in the classroom. I was never recognized for any academic achievements growing up, so to have that recognition for the first time feels like I am continuing to grow and I am proud of that.”

Varrato concluded his high school career as a Trojan in style, winning the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 championships.

“My time at Parkland was special,” Varrato said. “All four years of soccer were so memorable in their own ways. We all created a unique bond with each other and won’t forget the memories we made together. The 2017 team was a reflection on the true chemistry we had from playing together since we were kids and working very hard in our practices and team conditioning sessions.

“Through all of the very tight games in league playoffs, district playoffs and state playoffs, it taught me to be able to stay focused, steady-minded, and to not let my emotions control the way I play. During my games in college now, I welcome those big-time moments late in the game when you need to be there for your team. That is what I love about my position as a goalkeeper. It is a matter of making the timely saves, not always the flashy ones.”